2 residents die from apparent self-inflicted wounds

Two La Plata County residents have died from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds in separate incidents.

The first was reported about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 500 block of Cox Canyon Road, a remote location near the New Mexico border west of U.S. Highway 550, said Dan Bender, spokesman with the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim was identified as Susan Hutchings, 59.

She was found at her home with a gun nearby. No foul play is suspected.

The second was reported shortly before 8:30 a.m. Thursday in an apartment on County Road 234, just north of Elmore’s Corner at U.S. Highway 160 and Colorado Highway 172.